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Category Archives: Psychology and the Media

I just finished re-watching the sixth episode of the first season of the original Star Trek (if you count the pilot.) It does a fair job of illustrating the basics regarding the dangers of non-acceptance and non-integration of the shadow-self with the persona. These are terms Carl Jung used largely to replace Freud’s terms, “conscious” and “subconscious.” (The persona being the self we tend to show the world- often our “best” attributes- while the shadow-self is largely unconscious and comprised of aspects of ourselves that society, culture or family have told us are “bad.”) If explored, accepted and integrated the shadow-self provides us with much of our creative energy and power. In this particular episode, an alter ego of Kirk is sent back with the original Kirk to the SS Enterprise when the transporter malfunctions. Continue reading →

I am pretty comfortable with self-disclosure so the information in this New York Times article isn’t one of my main concerns (knock on wood) but it’s interesting nonetheless. I can see the pros and cons of clients having access to more information about their therapist but I’m wondering what effect this will have on more traditional practitioners or those who are not comfortable with this level of transparency. The internet is definitely changing the nature of the therapeutic relationship.

Do You Google Your Shrink?

I knew my psychiatric practice was forever changed the day a patient arrived with a manila folder stuffed with printouts and announced that it contained the contents of a Google search that he had done on me. He pulled out a photo of my mother and me, age 7, that had been published in my hometown newspaper; architectural plans for an addition to my house that was never built but apparently was registered locally by the architect; an announcement about my great-grandfather’s becoming editor of Amazing Stories magazine in his old age; and my brother’s history as a college activist. (See below for a link to the full article.)

The Psychology of Horror: Why We Love Scary Movies

I’m sure I’m not alone in questioning my attachment to horror films (which I do in earnest each October.) Why do I persist in subjecting myself to a genre that at times robs of me of sleep, gives me nightmares, makes me wary of everyday objects and sometimes causes me to lose feeling in my extremities? I don’t have all the answers but I think I have a few and so does my friend and colleague, Stacey Weber. Continue reading →